Legacy funds new way in for Dereham Baptists

The generosity of a mystery benefactor, who named Dereham Baptist Church in his will 20 years ago, has helped it create a new entrance into the church from the town.

Dereham Baptist Church (DBC) unveiled its new look at a grand community opening on Saturday 7 September, attended by a large number of people from the community and a range of those who have supported the project. This was followed by a joint service of praise with the church's Portuguese-speaking congregation.
 
In 2021, DBC began the process needed to repair its back wall opposite the QD store after an inspection flagged concerns over the integrity of its infrastructure. The Rev Nigel Bayley, the church's lead minister, said: "This was no surprise as the wall looked unsafe but it was clear that now was the time for us to act."
 
Rev Bayley said the church was told by a heritage buildings officer that the wall needed to be rebuilt to its original state as it was covered by the listed building status. He said: "He made it clear it needed to be rebuilt as it had been originally, using Norfolk flint. We were aware that this would be likely to increase the cost."
 
The church found an architect, Rob Wilson, who then suggested Bunting and Son of Stibbard, specialist flint builders, who quoted the church for the work. As the wall was very fragile with no foundation, it would need a complete rebuild and the cost of the flintwork was far more expensive than expected.
 
However, the morning after a meeting of the church's elders, the church received a call from a solicitor, saying that DBC had been named as one of three beneficiaries of Trevor Emmins - a local man - who had recently died. Along with donations from church members, this enabled the project to proceed.
 
Mr Bayley said: "We have no idea who this man was and despite efforts to find out, we still do not know of anything that links him to DBC, never mind something significant enough for him to be so generous to us in his legacy. He had written the will 20 years previously and it was right at that moment of great need that we found out about it. We give thanks to God as we realise that He wanted this to happen and had been putting everything in place ready for this years ago."
 
The church was able to extend its planning permission to build a gateway through the wall to its new wheelchair and pram accessible entrance to the building entrance which also makes the church more visible.
 
It also means that there are now entrances to DBC from all four directions in town, one from the main drive off the High Street, a second off Norwich Street, a third through a gate from the Ellenor Fenn Garden plus the new one from Chapel Walk. This is seen as having real significance.
 
The top picture shows, left to right: associate minister Dave Ward, Breckland councillor Alison Webb, Dereham mayor Linda Monument and lead minister Nigel Bayley at the unveiling of the new entrance.
 
For more information, visit: derehambaptist.org

Both photos are courtesy of Dereham Baptist Church.

This story is taken from an article in the Eastern Daily Press.
 
Read our previous story when work started on the new entrance.

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